This data collection includes profile data containing temperature and salinity collected in support of this research program to gain better knowledge of the benthic communities of the deep Gulf of Mexico, 1999 - 2002. Funding provided by USDI/MMS Contract No. 1435-01-99-CT-30991 for the US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service-sponsored program entitled 'The Deepwater Program: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitat and Benthic Ecology'. Principal Investigators: Dr. Gilbert T. Rowe, Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicutt, Dr. Bob J. Presley, Dr. Gary A. Wolff, Dr. Joan Bernhard, et. al. Original title provided by data contributor in the included FGDC description for these data is "CTD Cast Data ".

This dataset includes measurements of the following parameters: Profile Currents, currents, Temperature (water), salinity, pressure, profile CTD, PALFOS profile CTD and currents, PIES (estimates of vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, density and referenced geostrophic velocities), remote sensing (SST, SSH). The data were collected on the following cruises: LH845-03, LH846-03, LH847-03, PE04-10, PE04-12, PE04-17, TM080-04, PE04-34, PE04-35, TM084-04. During this study fixed position moorings supporting acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs), fixed level current meters, and a variety of sensors to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure. Additionally, inverted echo sounders with pressure (PIES) were placed on the bottom at specific locations over the study area. This placement was coordinated with both current measurements and the coordinated remote sensing component of this study - in particular sea surface height. The final observations were provided by both profiling (PALFOS) and fixed level (RAFOS) drifters placed in the study area but allowed to drift and provide lagrangian information as well as C/T profiles where PALFOS floats rose to the surface every ten days. The primary objectives of the study were to develop an improved understanding of the conditions and processes that resulted in the documented circulation patterns in the study area and how these related to forcing mechanisms important to the overall upper and lower-layer Gulf circulation and transport. Results showed that in the relatively anomalous study interval, upper layer circulation patterns dominated Loop Current related eddies (cyclonic and anticyclonic). Relatively weak correlation could be defined between upper and lower layer circulation patterns. Lower-layer currents were apparently strongly affected by the presence of the Sigsbee Escarpment. Many measured current patterns could be related to topographic Rossby waves of various periods that varied with position relative to the Loop Current and bottom topography. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a four-year study titled: Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as simply the Exploratory Study).

Physical, chemical, and other data were collected using trawl, SeaWifs and other instruments from the GYRE from the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from August 1, 1999 to August 1, 2002. Data were submitted by the Texas A&M University as part of the Deepwater project.

A Minerals Management Service (MMS) program entitled Survey of Deepwater Currents in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, awarded to Evans-Hamilton, Inc. This data set includes physical oceanographic data from CTD and ADCP moorings deployed in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from January 19, 2005 to January 28, 2006. The data are in ASCII forms subjected to quality control and quality assurance procedures.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a study titled: Survey of Deepwater Currents in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as the NW Gulf Study). The timing and general area of investigation extends the focus of a series of preliminary studies that as a group will provide a basis for effective design and implementation of comprehensive ocean investigations having a goal of in-depth understanding and characterization of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) circulation and dynamics. As identified in the Request for Proposal (RFP), a possible design for the study involved 13 full-depth moorings instrumented with various and appropriate sensors to resolve and estimate key parameters and conditions within the study area. Additionally, a combination of remotely sensed (satellite) data types (e.g., altimetry, radiometry, and color) were to be acquired and used to aid in the interpretation of mesoscale features and physical data in the study area. Within the scope of work for this study, there was a specification for coordination of all activities with oceanographers from Mexico who were responsible for Mexican Sector activities and data.

Chemical, benthic organisms, and other data were collected using moored current meter casts and other instruments in the Gulf of Mexico from November 11, 1983 to November 13, 1984. Data were submitted by Alaska Research Associates, Inc., as part of the Gulf of Mexico North Continental Slope Study (MNCSS) project. Data has been processed by NODC to the NODC standard F004 Water Physics and Chemistry, F123 Fish Shellfish Resource, and F132 Benthic Organisms formats. The F004 format is used for data from measurements and analyses of physical and chemical characteristics of the water column. Among chemical parameters that may be recorded are salinity, pH, and concentration of oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, chlorophyll, and suspended solids. Physical parameters that may be recorded include temperature, density (sigma-t), transmissivity, and current velocity (east-west and north-south components). Cruise and station information, including environmental conditions of the study site at the time of observations, is also included. The F123 format is used for data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analysis of midwater or bottom tow catches and provide information on population density and distribution. Cruise information, position, date, time, gear type, fishing distance and duration, and number of hauls are reported for each survey. Environmental data may include meteorological conditions, surface and bottom temperature and salinity, and current direction and speed. Bottom trawl or other gear dimensions and characteristics are also reported. Catch statistics (e.g., weight, volume, number of fish per unit volume) may be reported for both total haul and for individual species. Biological characteristics of selected specimens, predator/ prey information (from stomach contents analysis), and growth data may also be included. A text record is available for comments. The F132 format contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico and the Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) was initiated to determine the extent of damage to the resources and habitat of the area impacted by the spill. The Southeast Fisheries Science Center Mississippi Laboratories has collected standardized data in the Gulf of Mexico since the 1980s through various fisheries resource surveys. These data were provided to the NRDA for inclusion as a baseline dataset on the health of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem prior to the oil spill.

This data collection includes characteristics of bottom cores collected in support of this research program to gain better knowledge of the benthic communities of the deep Gulf of Mexico, 2000 - 2001. Funding provided by USDI/MMS Contract No. 1435-01-99-CT-30991 for the US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service-sponsored program entitled The Deepwater Program: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitat and Benthic Ecology. Principal investigators: Dr. Gilbert T. Rowe, Dr. Mahlon C. Kennicutt, et. al., Texas A & M University.